Unicom launches 4G trials; Mobile ramps up rollout

China Unicom, the country’s second largest cellco by subscribers, has announced the launch of 4G network trials across 25 cities, Marbridge Daily writes. Commercial 4G services using the cellco’s Time Division Long Term Evolution (TD-LTE) network are expected to launch on 18 April, and the cellco aims to expand coverage to 300 cities by the end of the year. Unicom has also launched an integrated 3G/4G offering for new subscribers, although existing customers looking to upgrade their plans and keep their numbers must wait for the commercial launch.

In related news, China Mobile has stepped up its 4G rollout in Guangdong province, where it is looking to build 65,000 LTE base stations by the end of the year. According to MENAFN, China Mobile will build 400 base stations per day to augment its network, which currently consists of 26,000 towers in the region, covering major city zones, and important towns and villages.